NEW DELHI: India builds the cheapest nuclear reactors in the world. The completion cost for the indigenous 700 MW pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs), which is under construction, is $1,700/kwe, government told Parliament on Thursday. Indian reactors, government said, compares favourably with other reactors in the world.

Government also stated that the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, being operated by NPCIL, would come under the Civil Nuclear Liability Act. This is the first time the government has openly admitted this, in the wake of the Russian government's objections and their insistence that the KNPP be kept under the inter-governmental agreement.

In fact, the Russian government has also threatened to increase the costs for Kudankulam 3 and 4, if they are brought under the Indian liability law. The government also stated that the delay in commissioning Kudankulam 1 and 2 has increased the cost from Rs 13,171 crore to Rs 17,270 crore.

The overnight costs of South Korean reactors are higher than Indian. South Korean nuclear reactors are generally believed to be the cheapest, the South Koreans having won a prestigious UAE nuclear reactor contract. The Korean OPR-1,000 and APR-1,400 cost $1,876/kwe and $1,556/kwe. The government said Indian reactors have an overnight cost of $1,150/kwe.

Meanwhile, a joint venture company between NPCIL and Uranium Corporation of India (UCIL) would be formed to acquire uranium assets overseas.

Most nuclear reactor suppliers also have an avenue to supply uranium. India does not have enough
uranium for it's own reactors so how will this work out? Unless these are thorium reactors. India is not
a NSG member this can be an obstacle to nuclear trade with NSG nations.

22 August 2012
A contract worth over $300 million for the supply of turbine generators for two new units at the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP) has been awarded to a consortium between India's Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) and France's Alstom.

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) awarded the contract - worth over INR 19,060 million ($343 million) - to the consortium for the supply and installation of the turbine generator packages for RAPP units 7 and 8, construction of which began last year in Rawatbhata, Rajasthan. Alstom said that its share in the contract will be some INR 7000 million ($126 million), while BHEL will take the remainder.

Under the contract, BHEL and Alstom will together manufacture and supply the steam turbines, while the manufacture and supply of the complete generator, moisture separator reheater and condenser - including the erection and commissioning of the turbine generator package - will be undertaken by BHEL. The Indian company will manufacture the steam turbine components based on Alstom designs.

Commenting on the RAPP 7 and 8 contract, Alstom said: "This contract marks Alstom's growing contribution in the nuclear energy business in India after the award of the contract for two 700 MW units for the Kakrapar 3 and 4 nuclear power plant in Gujarat a year ago."

BHEL entered into a memorandum of understanding in February 2011 with NPCIL and Alstom for the creation of a joint venture for the supply of the conventional island for nuclear power plants of 700 MWe and above.

In April 2011, NPCIL awarded an INR 16,000 million ($288 million) contract to a consortium of BHEL and Alstom to cover the supply and installation of turbogenerator packages for Kakrapar 3 and 4, India's first 700 MWe PHWRs.

if we can produce cheap nuclear reactors then why not set up many nuclear parks in india to tackle rising energy requiremnt? ohh wait we cant because 200 tribals will lose their below poverty line lineage and will be forced to go away for nothing land to other cities and villages.

Nuclear Power is the immediate answer to India's pollution problems. Even Obama is shutting the last coal fired power plants and going on a nuclear building spree. China has had a drop off of coal usage, not by choice but by collapse of demand. Wind and solar power usage in China is down to only 50% while nuclear is on the rise. The French team up on India's cheap PHWR reactor can be a boon for joint nuclear sales. Alstom supplies the turbines and Areva supplies the fuel while India provides cheap labour you can't get in France.

Nuclear Power is the immediate answer to India's pollution problems. Even Obama is shutting the last coal fired power plants and going on a nuclear building spree. China has had a drop off of coal usage, not by choice but by collapse of demand. Wind and solar power usage in China is down to only 50% while nuclear is on the rise. The French team up on India's cheap PHWR reactor can be a boon for joint nuclear sales. Alstom supplies the turbines and Areva supplies the fuel while India provides cheap labour you can't get in France.

Most nuclear reactor suppliers also have an avenue to supply uranium. India does not have enough
uranium for it's own reactors so how will this work out? Unless these are thorium reactors. India is not
a NSG member this can be an obstacle to nuclear trade with NSG nations.

When Australia supplies uranium to India there will be a clause which states India cannot
supply to a third nation. When China proliferated uranium to Pakistan Australia investigated
if it was of Australian origin?

When Australia supplies uranium to India there will be a clause which states India cannot
supply to a third nation. When China proliferated uranium to Pakistan Australia investigated
if it was of Australian origin?

Click to expand...

Well, the major concern in Australia is not the possibility of india supply to a third nation but india may use these supply in its nuclear weapon production.

China? When China proliferated uranium to Pakistan, she was not Australia's customer yet!